The Cowboys will play their 50th season in 2009, and if the team does what it did in 1984, the Cowboys will select a team to represent the first 50 years.
Here is a look at the 25th Anniversary Silver Season team, as selected by fans in 1984.
Offense
Roger Staubach, QB, 1969-1979
Don Meredith, QB, 1960-1968
Tony Dorsett, RB, 1977-1985
Walt Garrison, RB, 1966-1974
Don Perkins, RB, 1961-1968
Drew Pearson, WR, 1973-1983
Bob Hayes, WR, 1965-1974
Billy Joe Dupree, TE, 1973-1983
John Fitzgerald, C, 1971-1980
John Niland, G, 1966-1974
Herb Scott, G, 1975-1984
Rayfield Wright, T, 1967-1979
Ralph Neely, T, 1965-1977
Danny White, P, 1976-1985
Rafael Septien, K, 1978-1985
Defense
Bob Lilly, DT, 1961-1974
Randy White, DT, 1975-1985
Ed Jones, DE, 1974-1985
Harvey Martin, DE, 1973-1983
Chuck Howley, LB, 1961-1972
Lee Roy Jordan, LB, 1963-1976
D.D. Lewis, LB, 1968-1981
Mel Renfro, CB/S, 1964-1977
Cornell Green, CB, 1962-1974
Everson Walls, CB, 1981-1989
Charlie Waters, S, 1970-1981
Cliff Harris, S, 1970-1979
Many of these players would probably remain on the 50th Anniversary Team, as will several players from the 1990s. Here are some of the more likely candidates who have played from 1985 to the present, although some may argue that a few more candidates should be on this list.
Offense
Troy Aikman, QB, 1989-2000
Emmitt Smith, RB, 1990-2002
Daryl Johnston, FB, 1989-1999
Michael Irvin, WR, 1988-1999
Jason Witten, TE, 2003-present
Jay Novacek, TE, 1990-1995
Mark Stepnoski, C, 1989-1994, 1999-2001
Larry Allen, G/T, 1994-2005
Nate Newton, G, 1986-1998
Erik Williams, T, 1991-2000
Mark Tuinei, T, 1983-1997
Mat McBriar, P, 2004-present
Kickers: Few of the kickers used since 1984 have lasted longer than two or three years. The best candidates are probably Chris Boniol (1994-1996) and Nick Folk (2007-present)
Defense
Charles Haley, DE, 1992-1996
Jim Jeffcoat, DE, 1983-1994
Dexter Coakley, LB, 1997-2004
Dat Nguyen, LB, 1999-2005
DeMarcus Ware, LB, 2005-present
Deion Sanders, CB, 1995-1999
Terence Newman, CB, 2003-present
Darren Woodson, S, 1992-2003
Roy Williams, S, 2002-present
Did I leave someone out? Any thoughts?
Fans should lobby for a 50th anniversary mascot. I say bring back “Cowboy Joe” and dump Rowdy!
Amen to that, Fred. And I think Crazy Ray should be included somewhere as an honorary member.
By the way: I was corrected on the PFRA Forum: 2009 will be the Cowboys’ 50th season, not the 50th anniversary, which doesn’t happen until 2010.
Anyway, there will be some interesting decisions to be made re: all-time players: Aikman vs. Staubach, Emmitt vs. Dorsett, Irvin vs. Pearson, and it just goes on.
As a franchise, its kinda nice to have those kinds of decisions to make!
Thanks, Fred. I was just looking at the 25th anniversary book published by Taylor Publishing in 1985 and should have thought to be clear that 2009 is the 50th season.
Temos tudo para ser uma grande equipe.
Só precisamos de um pouco de sorte também.
Abraço
Douglas Bete
Sorocaba SP
Brasil
Thanks, Douglas, and I agree for the most part. We do have everything we need to be successful in terms of talent, but there are intangibles that have not played in our favor. It’s going to be a long offseason.
(I won’t pretend to know Spanish or Portuguese– I have http://babelfish.yahoo.com/)
I would add Tony Hill for WR to the list to be considered. Drew was a fan favorite but Tony was more productive for the most part. At least he should be on the list as those considered.